Country Lead

The Hope Spring Community Humanitarian Initiative is a recognized non-governmental organization (NGO) registered with Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It operates primarily as the Nigerian arm or partner of Hope Spring Water, a UK-registered charity dedicated to improving access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Country Lead

Job Type: Full Time

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Onsite

Qualifications

• BA/BSc/HND
• ,
• MBA/MSc/MA

Experience

7 years

Location: Borno

Job Field: Consultancy

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NGO/Non-Profit

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Program Direction
• Lead the development, adaptation, and implementation of the country strategy and annual operational plans in line with the organization’s global priorities and local context.
• Ensure programs deliver measurable outcomes and contribute to national ownership, sustainability, and long-term impact.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and adaptation based on emerging needs, evidence, and changing context.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and impact measurement; use data to improve programs and report results.
• Program Quality & Implementation
• Provide overall oversight of program design, implementation, and quality assurance across all projects/thematic areas.
• Ensure activities achieve intended outputs, outcomes, and results while promoting accountability to communities and partners.
• Lead risk identification and management, including operational, programmatic, and reputational risks.
• Promote localization by strengthening local partners, civil society organizations, and government capacity where relevant.
• Team Leadership & People Management
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing country team (often including technical advisors, program managers, finance, and operations staff).
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and manage performance of staff; foster an inclusive, values-driven, and empowering culture.
• Ensure staff safety, security, well-being, and adherence to organizational policies (including safeguarding and codes of conduct).
• Support professional development and succession planning, with a focus on national staff leadership.
• Financial Management, Grants & Resource Mobilization
• Oversee country budgets, financial planning, and expenditure tracking to ensure efficient and compliant use of funds.
• Ensure strong grant management, donor compliance, accurate reporting, and audit readiness.
• Lead or support fundraising and resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development, donor cultivation, and diversification of funding.
• Maintain financial integrity and value-for-money principles.
• External Representation & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as the primary representative of the organization in the country with government ministries, donors, UN agencies, other NGOs, civil society, communities, and media.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships and coalitions that advance the mission.
• Engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, and coordination platforms to influence enabling environments and promote the organization’s priorities.
• Uphold and promote the organization’s brand, values, and reputation.
• Operations, Compliance & Reporting
• Ensure effective operational systems (HR, logistics, administration, security) that support program delivery.
• Guarantee full compliance with local laws, organizational policies, donor requirements, and international standards (e.g., Core Humanitarian Standard where applicable).
• Provide regular, high-quality narrative and financial reports to regional/global leadership and donors.
• Lead country-level planning, budgeting, and performance review processes.
• Typical Requirements & Qualifications
• Master’s degree preferred (Bachelor’s minimum) in International Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Management, or a relevant field.
• 7–12+ years of progressive experience in the non-profit/development/humanitarian sector, including significant senior leadership experience at country or program level.
• Proven track record of leading complex programs, managing teams, and delivering results in the relevant thematic area (e.g., health, education, livelihoods, climate, rights, etc.).
• Strong experience in donor relations, grant management, and preferably fundraising.
• Excellent external representation, networking, and influencing skills with government and other stakeholders.
• Solid financial and operational management skills.
• Cultural sensitivity, political acumen, and ability to navigate complex local contexts.
• Fluency in the local language(s) and English (or the organization’s working language); deep understanding of the country context is highly valued.
• Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and principles (including equity, inclusion, and accountability).
• Key Competencies
• Strategic thinking and adaptive leadership
• Program quality and results orientation
• Partnership building and stakeholder management
• People leadership and capacity development
• Financial acumen and resource stewardship
• Communication, influence, and representation
• Problem-solving and resilience in challenging environments
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Method of Application

• Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV to:
• [email protected]
• using the position as subject of email.
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